CMR ‘The Tall Girls’ tale of Depression desperateness

March Madness is in the air. High school and college tournaments are deciding champions. So, the CMR Drama Department’s choice of a basketball-themed play, “The Tall Girls,” as a mid-season production, is very fitting.

It is the Dust Bowl depression of the 1930s, and 15-and-a-half year old Jean, who arrived by train an hour ago, is waiting for someone to come and bring her to her uncle’s home. Ostensibly, she is to help out the recent widower, who was married to her mother’s sister. The reality is that Jean’s widowed mother recently married a “meal ticket,” and there was no room for Jean in the marriage. Her mother’s new husband bought her one-way ticket.

As she waits, Haunt Johnny arrives, and inquires why she came to the isolated town of Poor Prairie. Jean replies, “I not want to say.” Jean asks him the same question; Haunt Johnny tells her he is from Poor Prairie, and came back because he wants to watch the sunset and smell the sun. Jean asks about the bundle he is carrying, and learns it is a basketball. He comments that she is nice and tall.

Almeda, in bare feet and coveralls, finally arrives to pick up Jean, but she angrily and emphatically tells her cousin she is 14, and she does not need a mother.

When Jean sees some of Almeda’s friends trying to scrape together enough money and send away for a new bladder for their deflated basketball, she tells them she knows who has a new ball; Haunt Johnny, the new teacher and coach.

Almeda, Inez, Lurlene and Puppy dream of playing basketball and being good enough to play in the state tournament. However, their former team member Hazel married and left Poor Prairie. Reluctantly, because they are desperate for a fifth player, the girls allow Jean, who has never played basketball, to be part of the team.

Under the direction of Chris Evans, the actors and the set immersed me in the desperateness of the Depression and the desolation of a dried-up, Midwestern, “grave town.” I felt as if I could taste the dust and “smell the sun.” The girl’s onstage dribbling and shooting added to the reality of the drama.

Bailey Collins is Jean, who is smart and wise beyond her years.

Etan Naranjo is Haunt Jonny, with a past to hide.

Scrappy Almeda, played by Krystin Hagins, doesn’t want to be told what to do, and she is furious that Haunt Johnny gave her position on the team to Jean.

Carrie Lycett is caring Inez, who stays at home with her six siblings.

Flirtatious Lurlene, portrayed by Maren Olson, is more interested in boys than basketball.

Katie Morano is Puppy, with a bright future ahead of her because her father is a lawyer.

In the CMR breezeway leading to the ticket booth, to tie in with the play, Dramaturg Austin Haney prepared an interesting history of women’s basketball and the construction of Great Falls High School.

“The Tall Girls” is a wonderful play I highly recommend and plan see again. Some material may be not be suitable for ages under 13. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 10-12, at CMR High School, 228 17th Avenue NW. Tickets are $8 adults, $6 students. 406-268-6100.